How to Write 幂 (mì) — Meaning “Power (mathematics) / To cover”

Imagine a towel (巾) being used to cover a secret mathematical formula written on a board underneath. The towel hides the base and exponent, reminding you that 幂 means 'power' in math. The shape of the lower part looks like a small table holding the power.

The top radical 巾 should be written narrower than the bottom part; its vertical stroke must be straight and centered. The lower section has a horizontal stroke slightly longer than the width of 巾, and the two inner strokes must not touch the outer frame. A common mistake is making the top too wide or the bottom too cramped.

席 (xí, mat/seat) has a 巾 radical but a different lower part meaning 'mat' and is used for objects like a straw mat or banquet. 帱 (chóu, bed curtain) also has 巾 but a different phonetic component. 幂 specifically means 'to cover' and is the standard term for mathematical exponentiation, which the others are not used for.

幂 is primarily a technical term in mathematics, appearing in words like 幂数 (exponent) and 乘幂 (power operation). It is not common in everyday speech but essential in academic or scientific contexts. Culturally, it reflects how ancient Chinese used cloth coverings as a metaphor for layering or raising something, which evolved into the mathematical concept of powers.

Common words containing 幂 include: 幂数 (mì shù) — Exponent / Power; 幂集 (mì jí) — Power set; 乘幂 (chéng mì) — power; exponentiation (mathematics).